PHARMACOLOGY 1 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ACTUAL REVISED ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+

Pass your Pharmacology 1 Final Exam with confidence using the most current and comprehensive test bank available for the 2026 academic year. This resource features actual exam questions with revised, verified correct answers—already graded A+ by successful nursing students. Covering over 300 high-yield questions, this guide mirrors the exact content domains tested on Pharmacology 1 Final Exams: Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination; first-pass effect; half-life calculations (8-hour half-life: 50mg at 6:00 AM eliminates 25mg by 2:00 PM); drug blood levels (therapeutic range); routes of administration (percutaneous = topical); IV solutions (isotonic = 0.9% NS for hemorrhagic shock; hypotonic = 0.45% NaCl with fewer dissolved particles than blood). Drug Therapy Across the Lifespan: Geriatric considerations (hypoalbuminemia → excess free medication and toxicity; decreased liver blood flow; polypharmacy from multiple comorbidities; physiologic changes in body composition); pediatric considerations (BSA calculation using nomogram; respiratory drugs most commonly prescribed; buccal pouch for medicine dropper administration); pregnancy (Vitamin K supplement in last month for AEDs; Humulin R fast-acting insulin during delivery; beta blockers safe for HTN in pregnancy; bile acid-binding resins for hyperlipidemia). Fluids, Electrolytes & Diuretics: Signs of dehydration (furrowed tongue, decreased intake/output, mental confusion); hypokalemia (3.5 mEq/L from vomiting/diarrhea); hyperkalemia (5.5 mEq/L); loop diuretics (furosemide/Lasix – onset 5-10 min IV, causes hypokalemia, treats pulmonary edema/CHF); thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide – causes hyperglycemia, hypokalemia); potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone/Aldactone – risk of hyperkalemia, especially with ACE inhibitors); osmotic diuretics (mannitol for cerebral edema); acetazolamide (Diamox) for increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma). Medication Administration & IV Therapy: Six rights of medication administration; central venous access devices (Huber needle for implanted ports; PICC line lasts 12 months; implanted port for 6 months of chemotherapy); phlebitis (erythema, warmth, burning along IV site); air embolism (chest pain – place patient on left side); IV compatibility (gentamicin incompatible with heparin); penicillin administration (Z-track method, aspirate before injecting). Pain Management & Analgesics: Opioid agonists (morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl – strong agonists; codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone – weaker agonists); adverse effects (respiratory depression 12 breaths/min – withhold medication and prepare naloxone; orthostatic hypotension, confusion, dizziness); meperidine (Demerol) respiratory depression priority; fentanyl patch (takes 12-24 hours for steady state – provide PRN analgesia initially); NSAIDs (ibuprofen – take with food to prevent GI upset; COX-2 inhibitors have fewer GI adverse effects); salicylates (aspirin – tinnitus indicates toxicity; treats fever, MI, muscle aches, swollen joints); acetaminophen (Tylenol) – no anti-inflammatory effect, liver toxicity with chronic use; pain assessment (FLACC scale for nonverbal adults; quality described as cramping/burning). Cardiovascular Pharmacology: ACE inhibitors ("pril" – captopril, enalapril) – treat HTN, HF, diabetic nephropathy; adverse effects (cough, hyperkalemia, angioedema, hypotension – rise slowly); contraindicated in pregnancy. ARBs ("sartan" – losartan) – block angiotensin II binding to AT1 receptors. Beta blockers (metoprolol) – depression as adverse effect; non-selective triggers bronchoconstriction. Calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine) – constipation with verapamil. Alpha-2 agonist (clonidine) – stimulates alpha-2 receptors inhibiting norepinephrine release. Alpha-1 blocker (prazosin) – treats both HTN and BPH. Hydralazine (monotherapy causes reflex tachycardia). Nitroprusside (Nipride) – light-sensitive, protect solution from light. Hypertensive crisis treatment. Heart Failure & Antidysrhythmics: HF treatment (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, digoxin – second line); BiDil (isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine) for African Americans; HF staging (A through D). Amiodarone – long-term therapy for V-fib/V-tach; adverse effects (hypo/hyperthyroidism, optic neuropathy, photosensitivity). Digoxin – second-line for HF and dysrhythmias. Quinidine – blocks sodium channels, widens QRS, prolongs QT; causes cinchonism. Mexiletine – ventricular dysrhythmias; GI and neurologic adverse effects. Respiratory Pharmacology: Asthma stepwise management – begins with determining severity and control. Montelukast (Singulair) – FDA warning for aggression, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts. Ipratropium (Atrovent) – contraindicated in narrow-angle glaucoma (anticholinergic increases IOP). Albuterol nebulizer for status asthmaticus – suspension in liquid increases effectiveness. Beclomethasone nasal spray – side effects: nasal irritation and nosebleed. Guaifenesin (Robitussin) – most common adverse effect: GI distress. Dextromethorphan – for dry, harsh coughs. Mucolytics – for thick, tenacious secretions in COPD. Intranasal corticosteroids – prophylactic treatment for allergic rhinitis (not acute symptoms). Inhaled decongestants – risk of rebound congestion. Antibiotics & Antimicrobials: Cephalosporins – cross-sensitivity with penicillin allergies; nephrotoxicity risk, especially in elderly and with loop diuretics. Aminoglycosides (gentamicin) – ototoxicity (dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss) and nephrotoxicity (decreased urine output). Tetracycline – avoid with antacids (aluminum hydroxide/Mylanta) – administer 1 hour before or 2 hours after. Macrolides – inhibit metabolism of benzodiazepines, theophylline, digoxin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors → potential toxicity. Penicillin + probenecid – probenecid inhibits excretion, prolongs penicillin availability. Fosfomycin for UTI – mix contents with 90-120 mL water, administer orally. Ertapenem – reconstitute with water, bacteriostatic water, or 0.9% NS (not dextrose or lidocaine). Broad-spectrum antibiotics – adverse reactions: overgrowth of yeast, bacterial changes in bowel, superinfection. Antitubercular & Antifungal Drugs: Isoniazid (Nydrazid) – cornerstone of TB treatment and prophylaxis. Patient teaching: report dark urine/light-colored stools (liver damage), avoid alcohol, weekly blood draws for neutropenia. Nystatin suspension – retain in mouth several minutes before swallowing for oral candidiasis. Gout & Arthritis Pharmacology: Allopurinol – prevents gout attacks by reducing uric acid production; adverse effects (elevated liver function tests – monitor every 2 months). Colchicine – prevents accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. NSAIDs – first-line for dysmenorrhea. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – autoimmune, treated with methotrexate (take Vitamin B to decrease adverse effects), etanercept (Enbrel) – weekly subcutaneous injection. Osteoarthritis (OA) – non-inflammatory; treated with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, Hyalgan injections. Allopurinol for chronic gout – balances urate concentration. Neurologic & Psychiatric Pharmacology: Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/Ativan for alcohol withdrawal) – increase effects of GABA. Flumazenil (Romazicon) – benzodiazepine antagonist; watch for withdrawal seizures. Buspirone (buSpar) – anxiolytic with less sedation (good for working patients). Eszopiclone (Lunesta) – non-benzodiazepine hypnotic approved for long-term use (up to 12 months). Temazepam (Restoril) – safe for elderly insomnia (eliminated by glucuronidation). Zolpidem (Ambien) – high-fat meals decrease absorption. Phenytoin (Dilantin) – decreases sodium influx into neurons; do not change brands without physician approval. Gabapentin (Neurontin) – promotes GABA release. Ethosuximide (Zarontin) – for absence seizures; sore throat/fever requires blood cell count check. Status epilepticus – IV lorazepam (Ativan) first-line. Ophthalmic & Dermatologic Pharmacology: Proparacaine – topical anesthetic for foreign body removal. Ophthalmic corticosteroids – long-term use causes glaucoma. Glaucoma treatment – decrease formation or increase outflow of aqueous humor. Eyedrop administration – 5-10 minutes between different drops. Aloe – herbal preparation for pain, itching, inflammation of skin disorders. Intertrigo – fungal infection, treated with antifungals. Impetigo – mupirocin (Bactroban) topical treatment. Substance Use Disorders: Disulfiram (Antabuse) – causes nausea/vomiting if alcohol ingested (acetaldehyde syndrome). Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram – three drugs approved for maintaining alcohol abstinence. Nicotine withdrawal – irritability is a key symptom. Herbal & OTC Considerations: Aloe for skin inflammation; St. John's wort, ginger, bay leaf mentioned. Phenylephrine (OTC decongestant) – contraindicated in hypertension (alpha-1 agonist causes vasoconstriction). Drug Calculations & Prescribing: Pediatric BSA calculation: (BSA/1.73) × adult dose. Prescription requirements (8 information items for non-controlled; 3 additional for controlled substances including DEA number). APRN prescriptive authority regulated by State Board of Nursing. USFDA regulates official drug labeling. Perfect for nursing students (LPN, ADN, BSN), medical students, and pharmacy students preparing for pharmacology final exams, NCLEX, or course HESI. Each answer includes the verified correct response with detailed rationales where applicable.